Relief goods prepared for 'Sendong' victims

ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has launched relief efforts for families displaced by tropical storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro City, Secretary Dinky Soliman said Saturday.

Soliman said 10 evacuation centers in Cagayan de Oro City and 3 in Carmen have been put up.

“The community kitchens have been organized and they are now providing food at the evacuation centers,” Soliman told ANC.

“We hope to deliver 10,000 food packs to Iligan,” she added.

More than 20,000 families in Cagayan de Oro were affected by flooding caused by Sendong.

In Iligan City, at least 40 people died, and more than 200 others were missing as floodwaters swept through over a dozen villages, according to Iligan Mayor Lawrence Cruz.

Food, shelter

Soliman said President Aquino, through a meeting with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Saturday afternoon, instructed the DSWD to ensure that all food and shelter needs of the evacuees are met.

Soliman said the agency has enough funds to provide the basic needs of those affected by the flooding.

“We are also preparing to airlift dry clothes from our warehouse so that dry clothes can be used by our kababayans,” she said.

Soliman said the President also gave instructions to prepare “noche buena” packs for families who will be homeless this Christmas.

“We will prepare noche buena food packs, which is the regular food pack plus something special, like fruit cocktail and ingredients for spaghetti,” she said.

Damaged houses will also be provided emergency shelter assistance of P5,000 on average for house repair.

Families who lost their homes will also be provided shelter assistance by the government, said Soliman.